Happytocare

After 22 years of seeing and hearing everything, I beleive the best advice is to remain as professionall as possible. Although we live in a society that tolerates all walks of life; there are still some rigid thinkers out there that just can't wrap their heads aroud sexual orientation. Keep your answers to a minium and avoid talking about your personal life with your patients.

Sorry for being canadian guys - highest temp i've ever took was 43.3Celcius. The patient was severly septic.

I LOVE my job! When those other nurse's roll their eyes at me when I say that I am a geriatric nurse it does not bother me. I am there for my residents and at the end of the day I know that I have made a difference in someone's life. I don't bother getting defensive anymore, we all have our strengths when it comes to nursing and it takes a really special person to work LTC and really enjoy it. Perhaps there are areas that we would not enjoy, I think it's better to have the attitude that ignorance is bliss. You know what a difference your skills and your heart makes, you are the lucky one to have the privledge and honour to care for the elderly. I only hope that when it's my turn I have a kind, caring nurse that loves her job.

Hi, I'm from Winnipeg, Manitoba started out in Edmonton LPN

Been a LPN for 4 years Started off in Alberta,moved to Winnipeg been nursing in a private LTC Specialized Dementia unit for four years wage $22.60/hr evening premium $1.00, weekend end premium $1.35. The union is pretty good. Top wage year 6 $24.29 Job market is good I am completely happy being an LPN! We practise within the province's Standards of Practise I start IV's, do catherization administer antibiotic IV's, IM's, there are specialty courses you can take to work on dialysis units LPNs work in all areas of medicine, surgery ,pediatrics geriatrics, etc etc I've also heard that the LPN courses in other provinces are not all the same so if you plan to stay in B.C that's okay if not it might be a good idea to explore your options

A few days ago my supervisor completely shocked me and my co-workers. She has let all of her nurses know that the reason she changed her child's school was because there were not enough blonde and blue eyed children in the class and her 4 year old was feeling uncomfortable. The class that her child was in was diverse in ethnicities. She makes many racial remarks about the color of our skin and our racial backgrounds. Initially when she joked about it we all thought it was just that- a joke. We did not make any kind of remarks to cease her joking. We have now made it clear that we will not tolerate any sort of racist remarks or jokes. It is too late ,for me anyways, to have any kind of respect for this woman. So now with her true colors showing, my question to all of you is this; How would you maintain your professionalism when working with someone who is an outright racist?

Hi everyone, I'm from Winnipeg Manitoba. I have nursed in Edmonton, Alberta but Winnipeg is wear I hang my hat and wear my parka.

Hi there, I currently work in LTC-50 beds 5 health care aids and I'm the only nurse on the floor from 3 to 11. The workload can be qiute challenging at times. I get everything done including TXs. It's knowing how to priorize your workload and when to ask for help if you find yourself not being able to complete your work.If you are still uncomfortable after your orientation let your supervisor know. Perhaps they can make a few provisions for you. Good Luck!

Hi Guys, I just thought that I'd share with you the fact that my Husband is a Registered Nurse. He is greatly respected by his peers and friends. I think it's pretty damn sexy to see a guy in scrubs. I am a Licensed Practical Nurse and I work with a lot of Male nurses. Those people that have any comments really need to get a clue. Guy nurses rock!

Thanks for the advice. No, we're both happily married to great guys. No she has no authority over me what so ever. We work opposite shifts. The understanding between us is work is work. We both have jobs to do.

I work in a LTC with 275 beds. I work as a floor nurse on day shift. I recently starting associating with a Resident Care Manager on evening shift. I really enjoy her company. The problem is this, I've been getting a lot of catty comments from my co-workers on days. Some of my co-workers have seen us out and about on our days off. Anyways, these co-workers are making me feel as though I've done something wrong. What do you guys think? Is there something wrong with my new friendship?

All I can say to people whomake thses stupid comments that LPN/LVN are not "real nurses" 'IGNORANCE IS BLISS'

Need your advice. I work in LTC Facility. One pt with Dementia has really embedded himself in my heart. He follows me wherever I go from room to room. He sits with me when I chart. Basiscally he has become my shadow I don't mind BUT when it is time to leave at the end of the shift he cries. He is at times unconsolable. The staff have tried to redirect him or keep him busy closer to the end of the shift but he always seems to sense when I am leaving. I have asked that I be moved to another unit but the D.O.N wishes me to remain where I am. I really do like this fellow but I believe that him being upset to the point of crying on a regular basis cannot be good for him.Lately he has become non compliant with care when I'm not there. His previous history is pretty sketchy, we know that he held a doctorate in Biochemistry/physics. Any suggestions?

I'm from Canada. Doesn't $16/hr seem a little low. Do you get paid weekend premiums and shift differentials? Starting wage in Manitoba for LPN's is $19+/hr $1.35/hr weekend premiums and $1.35/hr evening shift premiums and $2.00/hr night premiums.

Since when is bedside nursing not part of our standards of care? Is this not the time that a head to toe assessment should be done.There have been many times I have heard the same comments. It makes me a little angry to think that a RN would say this, perhaps she should reexamine the reason why she went into nursing. If she's not doing patient care what is she doing? I for one would hate to be pushing papers and crunching numbers it would certainly make me feel a little discontent too. Long gone are the days when a RN rolls up her sleeves and pitches in when staffing is short. I am Proud to be an LPN!!!!! It is an honour and a priveledge to care for the elderly! WHY can't we put our insecurities aside and work together?

The thing that totally grosses me out is SPUTUM. I'd rather clean necrotic wounds than have to go near the stuff! YUCK! :barf01: :barf01:

THOSE THAT NEVER MADE A MISTAKE NEVER MADE A DISCOVERY! I had a med error today, never completed the second checks from the previous shift and gave a Resident too much insulin. I definately learned a valuable lesson that I need to double check every new order that is recieved from previous shifts. Luckily the Resident is okay. Family was a upset but realized that we nurses are not robots but human beings after all.

To overload in LTC. I myself have felt overwhelmed at the patient to nurse ratio. I am often assigned two floors at a time, anywhere from 32 to 56 patients. I cannot physically be in two places at once. This means the LTC facilty (privately owned) gets a bang for their buck. I essentially do the work of two nurses. I always fill in workload forms. More often than not, the Director of Nursing will be on my back if something vital is missed. I Totally know how you feel, I think I have a Master's Degree in multi-tasking. Theses conditions are just waiting for a tradegy to occur and when it does I wonder who's head will it be on.